Chicago Mayor reaches agreement with O’Hare Airport airlines for a sixth east-west runway

US Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the city of Chicago and United Airlines and American Airlines confirmed (01-Feb-2016) an agreement for an approximately USD1.3 billion infrastructure plan for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). This agreement includes a new runway (Runway 9C/27C), deicing pads and other airfield projects, paving the way for further airport improvements that will allow O'Hare to increase the number of gates and modernise the terminals. Runway 9C/27C, scheduled to be commissioned in 2020, will be used for arriving and departing aircraft. The 11,245ft long, 200ft wide runway will be the second largest runway at ORD. This runway will balance the capacity of the north airfield with that of the south airfield, providing increased flexibility for east and west flow operations, as well as balancing noise exposure among communities east and west of O'Hare. As part of the project, the airport's airfield also will receive a centralised deicing facility. This project will improve gate utilization and terminal capacity, eliminate secondary deicing for departing aircraft, and enhance runway safety. In addition, a new crossfield Taxiway system will be constructed to connect the north and south airfields which will decrease taxi time for planes arriving at ORD. The construction plan also calls for the relocation of fuel supply lines and airline support facilities, as well as perimeter Taxiways A and B. The Mayor also announced that negotiations have begun for an airport use and lease agreement with airlines operating at O'Hare that contemplates new air service. This agreement will be finalised in 2018. [more - original PR] [more - original PR II]